The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-02-12
gree; nor is it required that he should be now

Believing this to be the proper Interpretation
of the bill, cannot but remember that the sol
diers Of our civil war, in their pay and bounty,
received such compensation for military service
as has never been received by soldiers before
since mankind first went to war; that never be-
fore, on behalf of any soldiers, havo SO many
and such generous laws been passed to relieve
against the incidents of war; that statutes have
been passed giving them preference in all pub
lie employments; tina: the really needy and
homeless Union soldiers of the Rebellion have
been. to a large extent, provided for at soldiers
homes, instituted and supported by the govern
ment, where they are maintained together, free
from the sense OF degradation which attaches to
the usual support Of charity, and that never
before in the history of the country
has 1t been proposed TO render government aid
toward the support of any of its soldiers, based
alone upon military service so recent and
where age and circumstances appeared SO little
to demand such aid. Hitherto such relief has
been granted to surviving soldiers few in num-
Der, venerable in age, after long lapse OF time
since their military service and as parting
benefaction rendered by grateful people /
cannot believe that the vast peaceful army OF
Union soldiers who, having contentedly resumed
their places in the ordinary vocations of life,
cherish as sacred the memory of patriotic serv-
ice, or who. having been disabled by the casual
ties of war, justly regard the present pension
roll. on which appear their Names ss well q
roll OF honor, desire at this time and in the pres
ept exigency to be COMPOUNDED with those who,
3
iects of simple charity and to gain place upon
the pension roll through alleged dependence
Recent personal observation and experience
constrain me TO refer TO another result which
will inevitably follow the passage of this bill
1t is sad but nevertheless true, that already, in
the natter of procuring pensions. there exists
widespread disregard of truth and good faith,
stimulated by those who, as agents, undertake
to establish claims for pensions heedlessly n
tered upon by the expectant beneficiary and en-
couraged, or at least not condemned, by those
unwilling to obstruct neighbour plans. In the
execution of this proposed law, under any in
depreciation, a wild field of inquiry would be
opened for the establishment Of facts large
ly within the knowledge Of the
claimants alone; and there can be
no doubt that the race after the pensions offered
by this bill would not only stimulate weakness
and pretended incapacity for labor, but put
further premium on dishonesty and mendacity.
The effect of new invitations to apply for pen
sions, or of new advantages added to causes for
pensions already existing, IS sometimes startling.
Thus, in March, 1879, large arrearages of PEN
sions were allowed to be added to all claims filed
prior to July /, 1885, For the year, from July
l. 1879. to July l, 1880, there were filed 1l0,673
claims though in the year Immediately previous
there were but 80 S32 fled and in the year fol-
lowing but Is, 455.
while cost should not be set against pa
triotic duty or the recognition of right, still,
when measure proposed is based upon gener-
osity or motives of charity it is not amiss to
involves. Experience has demonstrated, / be-
lieve. that all estimates concerning the probable
future cost of a pension list uncertain and
unreliable, and always fall far below actual
realization. Tie chairman of the House COM
mittee on pensions calculates that the number of
pensioners under this bill would be 80, los, and
the increased annual cost ST. 767 120 this is upon
the theory that only those who are entirely
able to work would be it's bene6ciaries. Such
was the principle OF the revolutionary pension
law OF lSlS. much clearly stated it
seems to me, than in this bill. When the
law Of 1878 was upon its passage in Congress
the number of pensioners TO be benefited there
by was thought to be 374, but the number of ap-
plcanss under the act was q. 297. and the num-
ber of pensions actually allowed 2.485. costing,
it s,reported for the first year, 81, 847. 900, in
stead of $40. 600. the estimated expense for that
period. A law passed in 1853 for the bene-
fit Of the surviving widows of revolutionary
soldiers who were married after Jan.
/, 1900. 1t was estimated that they
numbered 300 at the time of the passage of the
act but the number of pensions allowed was
8, ZAP, ard the amount paid for such pensions
during the first year Of the operation of the act
was $3.50. 900, instead of $24 000 as had been
estimated. l have made no search for
other illustrations, and. the above being
at hand, given as tending to show
that estimates cannot be relied upon in such
cases If none should be pensioned under this
bill except those utterly unable to work. am
satisfied that the cost stated in the estimate re-
loTTou W NOulu oc iuduy LILIES luuieipicus anu
with n constant increase from year to year; and
IL those partially unable to earn their support
should be admitted TO the privileges of this bill,
the probable Increase OF expense would be al
most appalling.
IL think it may be said that at the close of the
war of the Rebellion every Northern State and a
great majority of Northern counties and cities
were hurdened with taxation on account of the
debt thereby created still constitutes I
large item in the account OF the tax
gatherer against the people. Federal tax
alton, no less borne by the people thar
that directly levied upon their property
is still maintained at the rate made necessary
by the exgencies of war. If this bill should be
come q law, with its tremendous addition to ou
previous obligations. am thoroughly convinced
that further efforts to reduce the federal revenue
and restore some part of it to the people will
and perhaps should be. seriously questioned. 1
has constantly been a cause of pride and con
graduation to the American citizen that hi
country is not put to the charge OF maintaining
large standing army in time of peace Yet W.
are now living under q war tax which has beef
tolerated in peaceful times to meet the obliga
tons incurred in war. But for years past, In al
parts of the country, the demand for the reduc
ton Of the burdens of taxation upon our labo
and production has increased in volume and VI
gency. am not willing to approve measur
presenting the objections to which this bill i
subject. and which. moreover, will have the effec
of disappointing the expectations of the peop
duA SLcAA u0obo ano hoPO 1OH AOAiSt AhVm " q
taxation in time of peace. In my last annus
message the following language was used:
Every patriotic heart responds to tender conside
alton for those who having served their country lon
and well. rednced to restitution ard dependenc.
not incident of their service but with advancn
age through sickness misfortune. We a
tempted by the contemplation of such condition
supply relief. and often impatient of the limit,
tons of public duty. Yielding to in the desir
to indulge this feeling of consideration. cannot ri
myself of the conviction that if these soldiers
be relieved thew and their entitled to tn
benefit of enactment under which relief may
claimed right and that such relief should /
granted under the sanction of law not invasion of
Nor should such worthy objects of care all equal
entitled be RENTED to the unequal operation of syn
pathy or the tender mercies of social and political i
huence, with their unjust Determinations.
81 do not think that the objects, the cond
tons and the limitations thus suggested are col
tanned in the bill under consideration. I adhal